All 2017 model-year #ford cars, SUVs, light trucks and electrified vehicles to offer available SYNC® 3 voice-activated communications and entertainment system with popular smartphone integrations

CarPlay™ allows iPhone users to get directions optimized for traffic, make calls, send and receive messages, and listen to music, all in a way that allows you to stay focused on the road with Siri® or a touch screen

Ford, using its platform-centric approach – creating a technology for its lineup versus going vehicle by vehicle – has been able to swiftly roll out #sync 3 plus #apple#carplay and #androidauto. And future, over-the-air updates via Wi-Fi will help ensure it keeps up with the latest technology.

“We developed one platform – #sync 3 – and have been able to quickly offer the technology across our lineup,” said Chuck Gray, #ford Global Director, Electrical and Electronic Systems Engineering. “Customers considering a new vehicle can now choose any 2017 model year #ford car, SUV, light truck, or electrified vehicle with #sync 3 and be able to access their favorite apps.”

Popular nameplates like the Escape, Fusion, Mustang and Explorer are already available as 2017 model-year vehicles at dealerships and others like the F-150, Focus, Edge and all-new 2017 Super Duty will arrive later this year.

“SYNC 3 is already a major leap forward in terms of functionality, simplicity, and user experience – Ford’s promise that every new model now ships ‘Smartphone-ready’ is huge,” said Jeffrey Hannah, Director of North America for global automotive technology research firm SBD. “Ford is not taking the traditional approach of introducing #apple#carplay and Google #androidauto on a few piecemeal models or as an expensive option on luxury vehicles only. The guesswork for consumers is over – if you buy any 2017 #ford vehicle with #sync 3, you drive off the lot with both of these innovative technologies ready to go.”

As part of Ford’s effort to present convenient, easy-to-use mobility solutions, #sync 3 features all-new hardware and software for faster and more intuitive performance and more conversational voice recognition to help people easily connect to their smartphone and access a variety of features, including hands-free phone calls and available navigation.

Apps such as Spotify, Pandora, #ford PASS, AccuWeather and AAA member services have been added through #sync AppLink®.

Compatible with iPhone 5 and later models, #carplay provides a simplified way to use your iPhone interface on a car’s touch screen, giving users access to Siri voice controls, as well as #apple Maps, #apple Music, Phone, Messages, and a variety of third party apps.

Android #auto is available on devices with Android 5.0 and higher and similarly delivers Google Maps and music to a car’s screen while enabling voice controls for phone calls and messaging.